What's the Statute of Limitations for Suing a Drunk Driver Under Texas Law?

There is almost always a statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit against another party. The statute of limitations is the time limit a person has to file a complaint in court against the person or business that caused their injury. If a person fails to file the lawsuit within this time period, he will be barred from having a court hear his claim for damages. It is important to understand these deadlines to be sure to get the compensation you deserve.

The Statute of Limitations for Drunk Driving Crashes in Texas

In Texas, the time period for filing a lawsuit in a drunk driving crash is generally two years from the date of the crash. This two-year time limit applies to the following damages you could recover from the drunk driver:

Property damage: damages to your vehicle and other property in the vehicle that may have been damaged by a drunk driver.

Personal injury: medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and any other expenses you incur as a result of the crash.

Wrongful death: damages you suffer—such as medical expenses, lost wages and future wages, and pain and suffering—as a result of a family member being killed in a drunk driving crash.

Sometimes the deadline to sue is very clear. But what happens if you didn’t realize you had serious brain damage or your back injuries worsened over time? Texas law provides that you may have two years from the date you should have reasonably discovered your injuries to file a lawsuit in these situations.

We Sue Drunk Drivers! Contact Us for a Free Case Analysis

It’s important to contact an attorney immediately after your drunk driving crash, so you don’t wait too long to sue and don’t make unintentional mistakes that could hurt your case. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to advise you of the deadline to file a lawsuit against a drunk driver.

If you were injured in a crash with a drunk driver, you may be able to pursue a claim against him for compensation. Start an online chat, fill our out our convenient contact form or call us at (817) 380-4888 for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about your legal options.